Mohegan Favs: The Frontcourt || Day 2
Now let’s look at some of my favorite Day 2 frontcourt prospects from Hoop Group’s Live in New England Tournament. Lizzy Gruber Lizzy Gruber 6'4" | PF Gardiner | 2023 State NewE |Maine Attraction|6’4”|PF/C|’23 Photo: Meredith Ryan Add Live in…
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Continue ReadingNow let’s look at some of my favorite Day 2 frontcourt prospects from Hoop Group’s Live in New England Tournament.
Lizzy Gruber Lizzy Gruber 6'4" | PF Gardiner | 2023 State NewE |Maine Attraction|6’4”|PF/C|’23
Add Live in New England to the long list of tournaments Gruber has dominated. From the jump, she asserted herself inside and was unstoppable. It felt like she had a 20-20 game vs. NEPA elite, with most rebounds coming off the offensive end. Gruber had a significant size advantage on the block and made the most out of it with hook shots over both shoulders and second-chance putbacks. She also got to the free-throw line a ton, where she shot a high percentage.
Meghan Anderson Meghan Anderson 6'1" | PF Our Lady of Mercy | 2023 State NY |LI Lightning|6’1”|PF|’23
Anderson’s inside/out game is so smooth. Every time she got a touch in the post, I felt like she was going to score. She is comfortable scoring with either hand and has the strength and athleticism to convert against anyone who defends her. Anderson will also step out and show her shooting stroke from the outside. She can elevate and shoot over the top of defenses. Anderson runs the floor well and gets behind the defense often in transition.
Anna Foley Anna Foley 6'3" | PF Andover | 2023 State NewE |Evo|6’3”|PF|’23
Foley continues to outplay opposing bigs using her craftiness, footwork and shooting touch. Her face-up game is elite, and even though she lacks the speed and athleticism of some of her peers, Foley still finds ways to get to her spots and score consistently. She plays through contact and drives with purpose resulting in and-one opportunities. On both sides of the ball, Foley has the mobility and skills that make her a high-impact two-way big.
Evalyse Cole Evalyse Cole 6'1" | SF Easton Area | 2024 NY |Lehigh Valley Fever|6’1”|SF/PF|’24
Cole is a fascinating prospect who I got to see for the first time at Mohegan Sun. The long stretch forward showed skills down low, on the perimeter, and defensively which instantly made her one of my favorite players to watch. She passes well from the block, makes good reads, and delivers timely assists to her teammates cutting or spotting up. Cole showed a soft inside touch with both hands. Defensively, Cole can protect the rim and switch out on the wing for possessions and keep her assignment in front.
Madison Palek|NJ Soldiers|6’1”|PF|’24
Palek’s ability to stretch the floor and be a playmaker on the wing at 6’1” was impressive. She made great reads when driving to the hoop and was unselfish when the defense would collapse on her. Palek has good size, length, mobility, and a good looking outside shot. It is hard not to like Palek’s upside after watching her. Her high impact on the game could not be ignored.
Jade Wallace Jade Wallace 6'1" | PF New Milford | 2024 State NewE |Lightning Hart|6’1”|SF/PF|’24
Wallace emerged on my radar for the first time at Live in New England, and she really impressed me. I like bigs who can push the ball up the floor, and Wallace did that repeatedly after securing the rebound. Her confidence in handling the ball at her position was refreshing, and she made the lives of her teammates easier by being the primary playmaker at times throughout the game. Wallace has a high motor and was one of the hardest working players on the court.
Meja Jaegerskog|NJ Shoreshots|6’1”|SF|’24
I got a quick glimpse of Jaegerskog late in the day, and she immediately jumped out at me. I loved her activity on offense. She can shoot, has a high IQ, and is hard to defend because of her motor and size. Jaegerskog has the skill set of a wing, but I also like that you can play her at the 4 and get the same production level. She protects the paint well and is a good shot blocker who alters attempts without fouling.
Madelyn Adamson|NJ Soldiers|5’7”|SF|’25
Adamson is a natural wing but had to slide over and be the primary facilitator for the Soldiers in the game I saw. I thought she did well playing the point and her toughness and playmaking led to the Soldiers going on big runs to put them in a position to win the game. She handled the pressure well, made accurate passes, and was impactful off the ball. Adamson’s hard cuts and constant movement opened up her Soldier teammates and changed the game’s complexity with her activity on offense and defense.
Sylvie Bangasimbo Sylvie Bangasimbo 5'8" | SF Manchester Central | 2025 State NewE |NE Storm|5’9”|SF|’25
Bangasimbo was excellent defensively for the Storm. Her effort was off the charts, and she worked hard, shutting down the paint and altering shots. Bangasimbo was also active on the glass. Part of the reason why the Storm could go on huge scoring runs was that Bangasimbo controlled the boards and disallowed the opposition to get second chance opportunities.